imaginative

adjective

i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv How to pronounce imaginative (audio)
Definition of imaginativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imaginative Her solo stage program was made from a highly imaginative, eclectic selection of traditional pan-Asian references, poses, and gestures. — Thomas Patier, Artforum, 9 Oct. 2026 From this format emerges the tacit thesis that the Bicentennial cultural activities excelled at provoking critical, imaginative reflections on America’s past and future from artmakers and from ordinary citizens alike. — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 Expanding on French drama series, Debeurme praised his colleagues and fellow artists presenting audacious, imaginative projects in La Rochelle. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026 The family described the teen as a fearless, curious and deeply imaginative young man with an ambitious spirit who inspired those around him. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
  1. inventive
  2. innovative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • Each feels expansively lush without ever losing that genuinely old school rock and roll momentum, in large part due to the hypnotic drumming of Adam Shumski and inventive lead guitars of Dan Ryan.
    — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Occasionally, VisionQuest does this in a clever way, as with an inventive late sequence that borrows from WandaVision‘s sitcom language.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • Her designs are crafted in France using leather farmed in France and tanned in Italy, and are constructed entirely without stitching, using an innovative system of folding, assembly and rivets.
    — Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Sweden files more patents per person than almost every other European country, hosts four of the world’s top 130 universities, and is ranked by the UN’s World Intellectual Property Organization as the second most innovative economy on earth.
    — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • The creative team is currently developing the treatment and preparing to engage potential partners about the longer version.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Fairchilds said Jeffrey, who would be 57 in December, was intelligent, well-read and had a great sense of humor, with a passion for creative writing.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • Fixing Loose Tiles With Hot Glue When tile loosens, one apparently clever home DIY is to reapply it with a hot glue gun.
    — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Butter Squishy Butter squishy toys had a banner year, so dressing like one is a fun way to have a clever, timely costume.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • Bryan is an incredibly talented country singer known for writing songs that tell deep and often incredibly emotional stories.
    — David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Studios together meant making difficult decisions where the two companies overlapped, and unfortunately that affected talented people.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

imagination
imaginative
imaginativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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